Robert Sherman Adler

79, Scarborough, ME & Port Charlotte, FL, died unexpectedly on August 25, 2008, at his son's residence in Scarborough, ME. He was born in Waltham, MA December 27, 1928, the son of Ralph and Ethel (Sherman) Adler. Bob was married to Jean Eleanor (Spears) Adler for 56 years. They have three children, Stephen, Kenneth and Paul. Bob graduated from Waltham High School in 1947 and attended Wentworth Institute where he earned an Associate Degree in Patten Making. Bob was involved in the Scouts and Sea Scouts organizations throughout the majority of his life. In Sea Scouts he earned the prestigious Quartermasters award which was presented to him aboard the U.S.S. Mindoro in June of 1947. Bob joined the Navy Reserves in 1948 as a Seaman Apprentice in the Organized Submarine Division of Boston and was called to active duty in 1952 during the Korean War and served aboard the SS 525 Grenadier. His tour of duty included submarine operations with a cruise to South America. Bob was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954. He began work for the County of Middlesex, MA as a Surveyor, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Jean. They were married on December 27, 1952 in Arlington, MA. He began working for the W.H. Nichols Company in 1955 in Waltham, MA, as a carpenter and eventually earned the position of Plant Engineer. In 1967, the family moved to Cumberland, ME, where Bob opened the Portland Division of W.H. Nichols as the Plant Superintendent. In 1975 he was named Plant Manager and Vice President and retired in 1984 as a Corporate Senior Vice President. Bob then worked for Allied Construction Company as a finish carpenter, before moving to Walpole Maine in 1987, when he built several residential homes. He retired in 1992 and became a part time Florida resident. Bob's interest included family camping trips, fishing, hunting, boating and golf. During his tenure at W.H., Nichols he was involved in Junior Achievement and served a term as the Portland Regional Chapter President. Bob was a life member of the United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated and in 2001 he became one of the founding members of the U.S.S. Maine Base Submarine Veterans, Inc. He was very active in both the Maine and Florida chapters and in 2003 he was inducted into the Holland Club. He is survived by his wife Jean and his sons: Stephen Robert Adler of Alna, ME; Kenneth William Adler and his wife Elizabeth Adler of Erroll, NH and Brunswick, ME; Paul Sherman Adler and his fiancee Jessamy Wells of Scarborough, ME; his granddaughter Rebecca Adler of Hallowell, ME; his cousins Barbara Adler of Weston, MA; Eddie Quirk of Lexington, MA and Richard Adler of NH. He is predeceased by his sister Alice (Adler) Burquist of Acton, MA. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday Sept. 13, 2008 from 2-4 PM, with Navy Honors at 3 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, YARMOUTH, ME 04096. A reception will follow at Royal River Grillhouse, Lower Falls Landing, (off Route 88), 106 Lafayette St., Yarmouth, ME from 4-7 PM. Burial will be at sea at a later time. The Adler Family has created a memorial of Bob's life and it is available at www.mem.com. Please visit Bob's Memorial and share your condolences, memories and wishes with the Adler Family. For those who wish, donations may be made in Bob's memory to: The American Heart Association, 343 Gorham Road, South Portland, Maine 04106.